SAN FRANCISCO — Second baseman Ketel Marte played in a bridge camp game at Salt River Fields on Thursday morning, Aug. 27, manager Torey Lovullo said, adding that Marte took four at-bats and split time between second base and designated hitter.
It was Marte’s first action since his dramatic no-show in Boston on Monday, Aug. 17. He was initially placed on the restricted list before being transferred to the injured list with knee inflammation.
Marte will play in a simulated game on Saturday, Aug. 29, before he is tentatively expected to return from the IL on Monday, Aug. 31, against the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field.
“He’s playing,” general manager Mike Hazen said. “He’s working hard rehabbing. I’m anticipating he’s going to come back ready
to hit the ground running and play hard. We need that talent in our lineup. My expectation is he’s going to be here motivated to make a push.”
Lovullo wants Gurriel's bat to heat up before return
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has already played six games on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Reno and now is scheduled to play two more this weekend, Lovullo said, a sign the club is hoping to get his bat going before bringing him back from the injured list.
Lovullo said he has spoken with Gurriel over the phone about “where he’s at with his offensive approach.” Gurriel has gone just 2 for 21 with no extra-base hits, two walks and eight strikeouts.
“I want consistency with the at-bats, I want controlled at-bats,” Lovullo said. “It’s getting better, but I still think there’s some more work that needs to be done.”
Hazen said he can still see a role for Gurriel on this team as an option in left field or designated hitter, particularly against left-handed pitching.
Nolan Arenado scratched from lineup
Third baseman Nolan Arenado was scratched from the Diamondbacks’ lineup less than an hour before first pitch and was replaced by Jose Fernandez.
Arenado was dealing with a left intercostal injury last week. It is unclear if that was the reason he was scratched on Thursday.
Fernandez will step into Arenado’s No. 6 spot in the lineup.
Diamondbacks at Giants, 6:45 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks LHP José Cabrera (0-2, 5.60) vs. Giants RHP Logan Webb (8-8, 3.75)
At Oracle Park: This is the spot in the rotation that last belonged to RHP Michael Soroka, but he was placed on the 15-day injured list with right arm inflammation earlier in the week. … It goes to Reno call-up Cabrera, who will be in the majors for the second time this season. Cabrera made four starts in June and early July for the Diamondbacks and pitched 17 2/3 innings. He threw five scoreless innings in his major league debut on June 21. … Roupp posted a 3.30 ERA through his first 11 starts, but it has been a rough ride for him since. In 14 starts since the start of June, Roupp has posted a 5.18 ERA with 42 walks and 62 strikeouts in 74 2/3 innings. … Roupp has fairly even splits against lefties (.656 OPS) and righties (.680 OPS) and at home (4.22 ERA) and on the road (4.44 ERA). … He has faced the Diamondbacks three times already this season, throwing well against them in the first two but struggling the third time. All told, he has allowed 11 runs (nine earned) in 13 2/3 innings against them.
Coming up
Friday, Aug. 28: At San Francisco, 7:15 p.m., Diamondbacks TBA vs. Giants RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0, 3.58).
Saturday, Aug. 29: At San Francisco, Game 1, 1:05 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Mitch Bratt (1-2, 4.54) vs. Giants TBA. Game 2, 7:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (8-12, 5.35) vs. Giants TBA.
Sunday, Aug. 30: Off.
Monday, Aug. 31: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.51) vs. Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (5-10, 5.03).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Giants live. Marte logs at-bats. Gurriel update
